What do you do if you want to switch industries or roles?

Understanding your specific strengths are key. So many falsely default to their job roles, not realizing how much that undervalue their uniqueness and value add. Look past that, dig deep, reflect on what you have done in your career— what are some of those proud moments, accomplishments, and the why behind them? This will help you identify /narrow down key areas of strengths to position you to a new industry and/or role.

Researching a new industry is easier said than done. From a personal branding perspective, you can streamline your efforts by creating a watchlist of people who model your goals. Every industry has key players, technical experts, influencers, and respected leaders. Make a list of these different people (Top 15, maximum). Identify which ones resonate with you the most, and follow their journeys. Study their career trajectory, observe how they've talked about their work, and identify what skills helped them stand out. Use this information to update your LinkedIn profile, resume, and online profiles. This would accelerate your journey.

You can change industry roles by showing that you're relevant to the new role you seek. 1. Do an inventory of the skills/behaviors you're using in your current role. 2. Identify the skills are are transferable to the role you seek. 3. Understand how your past experience makes you a better candidate for the position you seek (i.e. you were in sales but are pursuing a job in project management. Show how your sales roles made you extra skilled at building relationships and that's essential for being part of a project management team.) 4. Update all career marketing materials (LinkedIn profile, resume, bio, online profiles, etc.) to be relevant and compelling for the role you seek. Position yourself as the unique, ideal candidate.

By connecting with the right people in your desired industry, you can gain useful insights and support. This way you are already known before you begin switching to a new industry making it easier for you to build rapport, establish connections, and integrate yourself smoothly.

Having proof of work and experience behind what you do goes a long way. But, this doesn't necessarily have to be exact experience in a specific field. There are lots of soft skills such as communication, leadership, and would you have guessed it personal branding too, that can be leveraged in a whole host of industries. So while gaining experience in a specific field is important, it is not always 100% necessary when you frame it in this way.